Your Files Are Locked—Now What?
Imagine logging into your system only to find your critical business data encrypted, locked behind a ransom demand. Panic sets in. Operations grind to a halt. The pressure to act fast is overwhelming. But paying the ransom isn’t a guarantee. You could lose your data and still be left vulnerable.
This is the reality businesses face today, with ransomware attacks more sophisticated than ever. Hackers now deploy ransomware capable of disabling antimalware and automated scans, bypassing traditional security measures.
If you’re here, you’re looking for answers. The good news? You still have options for your ransomware data recovery strategy here. Below, we’ll walk through the best ransomware data recovery techniques and how Tech-Refresh can help you restore encrypted files and prevent future attacks.
How Does Ransomware Encrypt Your Data?
Understanding how ransomware works is the first step toward recovery. Cybercriminals use advanced encryption techniques to lock business-critical data, making it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Studies indicate that 76% of cyber attacks involve data encryption, with data recovery after ransomware attack making it one of the most prevalent threats to businesses today.
Ransomware typically encrypts data using one of two methods:
1. Device-Level Encryption
This type of ransomware locks an entire operating system, encrypting everything on the storage drive. Even if you’ve previously encrypted your files for security, the ransomware overrides access, rendering your data useless without the attacker’s decryption key.
-
Can impact entire networks, spreading across connected devices.
-
Often paired with bootloader ransomware, preventing system startups.
-
Requires full system restoration or backups for recovery.
2. File-Level Encryption
Instead of locking the entire system, some ransomware strains selectively encrypt files, making them unreadable without the correct decryption key. This method targets specific file extensions, such as documents, spreadsheets, and databases, ensuring maximum disruption.
-
Harder to detect initially since systems remain operational.
-
May use double extortion tactics, where attackers steal data before encrypting it.
-
Recovery depends on backup integrity and decryption tools.
Regardless of the method used, recovery is possible with the right approach. A combination of robust backup and recovery strategies, decryption tools, and expert cybersecurity intervention can help restore previous file versions without succumbing to ransom demands.
Methods for Restoring Files After A Ransomware Attack
1. Utilize Data Backups
The most effective defense against ransomware is a reliable backup strategy. If you maintain regular, offsite, and immutable backups, you can restore your data and recover ransomware encrypted files without paying the ransom.
-
Cloud backups ensure that your data is available even if local files are compromised.
-
Air-gapped backups prevent ransomware from reaching stored copies.
How Tech-Refresh Helps:
Tec-Refresh provides secure, automated backup solutions to ensure your data remains accessible, even when a ransomware attack occurs. Their expertise in backup architecture helps businesses establish immutable storage for backup data, making it impossible for ransomware to alter or delete critical files.
2. Use a Decryption Tool
Decryption tools can sometimes unlock ransomware-encrypted files. These tools use publicly available decryption keys to reverse encryption—if the ransomware strain is known.
-
Many security researchers develop free decryption tools to combat ransomware.
-
Success depends on whether cybersecurity experts have cracked the ransomware's encryption method.
How Tech-Refresh Helps:
Tech-Refresh’s cybersecurity team stays updated on the latest ransomware strains and available ransomware decryption tools and solutions. They assess your situation and determine whether a decryption tool is a viable recovery option.
3. Restore Your Systems
If backups and recovery data decryption tools fail, a full Windows system restore and wipe may be necessary. However, before proceeding, you need to:
-
Identify the date of infection to avoid restoring already-compromised files.
-
Ensure your restored system is free from hidden malware.
-
Strengthen your cybersecurity framework to prevent reinfection.
How Tech-Refresh Helps:
Tec-Refresh provides Ransomware Recovery as a Service (RRaaS), managing the end-to-end ransomware recovery process. Their team identifies attack vectors, ensures a clean system restoration, and implements zero-trust security measures to safeguard against future breaches.
The Best Ransomware Recovery Solution? A Proactive Cybersecurity Partner
Recovering from a ransomware attack is possible, but the best defense is to prevent an attack from succeeding in the first place. With ransomware threats becoming more advanced and evasive, businesses can no longer rely on reactive security measures alone. Cybercriminals continuously refine their tactics, using AI-driven attacks, zero-day vulnerabilities, and social engineering techniques to bypass traditional security controls.
This evolving threat landscape demands a proactive cybersecurity strategy, one that strengthens defenses before an attack occurs, ensuring business continuity and data integrity. That’s where Tech-Refresh comes in.
Why Tech-Refresh?
-
24/7 Threat Monitoring: Identifies potential attacks before they happen.
-
Incident Response & Recovery: Rapid containment and restoration of affected systems.
-
Immutable Backups: Ensures your critical data remains untouchable by ransomware.
-
Advanced Endpoint Security: Strengthens defenses against sophisticated attacks.
Tech-Refresh specializes in managed security services, risk management, and compliance, helping businesses reduce complexity while enhancing network security.
Final Thought: Recovery Is Possible—With the Right Partner
Ransomware is a growing threat, but you don’t have to face it alone. Without the right strategy, businesses can face costly downtime, data loss, and long-term reputational damage.
But with a proactive approach and a trusted cybersecurity partner, Tech-Refresh, you can recover data encrypted files and build resilience to restore data back against future threats.
Tech-Refresh goes beyond recovery. We help prevent attacks before they happen, offering end-to-end security solutions tailored to your business needs. Don’t wait for the next attack, Contact us now and take control of your cybersecurity today!
Get a FREE copy of our Ransomware Recovery Checklist and ensure your business is prepared for any cyber threat!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can ransomware be removed without paying the ransom?
Yes, ransomware can sometimes be removed without paying, but recovery depends on the specific ransomware strain. If backups are available, files can be restored without issue. In some cases recovering ransomware, security researchers develop decryption tools that can unlock encrypted files.
However, certain advanced ransomware variants use encryption methods that are nearly impossible to break, making backup restoration the safest option.
How long does it take to recover from a ransomware attack?
Recovery time varies based on the severity of the attack and the availability of backups. If a business has a well-structured backup and ransomware recovery plan, restoration can take a few hours to a few days.
Without backups or data recovery strategy, businesses may spend weeks rebuilding systems, attempting decryption, or negotiating with attackers, all while facing operational disruptions.
Will antivirus software remove ransomware?
Antivirus software can sometimes detect and remove ransomware, but it cannot decrypt files that have already been locked. Some modern ransomware strains disable security software before encrypting files, making proactive cybersecurity measures essential. Regular software updates, endpoint security, and network monitoring reduce the risk of infection.
What should I do immediately after a ransomware attack?
The first step is to isolate the infected device from the network to prevent the ransomware from spreading. Identify the type of ransomware, check if backups are available, and consult cybersecurity professionals before attempting any other data recovery software or steps. Avoid paying the ransom, as there is no guarantee of file restoration.
Can ransomware spread to cloud storage and backups?
Yes, ransomware can infect cloud storage and backups if they are not properly secured. Some ransomware strains are designed to encrypt connected network drives, cloud-synced folders, and even backup systems.
To prevent this, businesses should implement immutable backups, use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for cloud access, and ensure regular security audits to detect vulnerabilities.